2025 Kitamuro District Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

📍Location: Oiwase City, Mie Prefecture, Japan, a small city favored by mountains and seas, with a forest coverage rate of 90%, humid and rainy, with an average annual rainfall of 3850mm, like a secret place hidden in the clouds and mist. 🚗Transportation: - External Transportation: First arrive in Japan, then take the JR Line from Tokyo, Osaka, etc. to Oiwase City, enjoying the scenery along the way. - City Transportation: Rent a bicycle and freely shuttle through the streets and alleys; you can also choose to take a taxi, which is convenient and fast, but the cost is slightly higher. 🏠Accommodation: - Oiwase Onsen Hotel: Soaking in the hot spring and listening to the rain outside the window is very pleasant. The hotel also has a hearty Japanese breakfast to start your day full of energy. - Kumano Kodo Guesthouse: Experience tatami mats and feel the charm of traditional Japanese houses. The guesthouse owner is warm and hospitable and will share many niche local attractions. 🌟Must-See Attractions: Kumano Kodo Center: The building is made of 6,500 Owase cypress trees, simple yet grand. Standing in front of the panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Kumano Beach; at dusk, the orange lights are lit up, creating a great atmosphere, perfect for taking photos. Sugari-cho Fishing Village: Selected as one of the "100 Best Villages in Japan", 200 old houses are scattered in an orderly manner, and the sloping tiles exude a simple atmosphere, as if you have walked into the world of Hayao Miyazaki's animation. Go to the pier in the early morning to watch fishermen harvest fresh sea fish and experience the purest fishing village life. Maki Gonbei no Sato: Built in memory of the Edo samurai Gonbei, it is the largest Japanese garden in Mie Prefecture. In autumn, the maple leaves are like fire, reflected in the pool, so beautiful that it's hard to take your eyes away; put on a kimono and take some traditional photos, the atmosphere is amazing. Kumano Kodo: A World Cultural Heritage site, the ancient road used by nobles to visit Kumano Shrine and ascetics to Ise Shrine. Along the way, there are dense forests, gurgling streams, ancient stone steps, and shrines. Walking along it, you can feel the blend of history and nature. Oiwase Shrine: With a long history, it preserves traditional architecture and cultural heritage, such as the unique lion mask. Here, you can experience the rich Japanese shrine culture, and maybe even encounter a traditional festival. 🍱Food Recommendations: Kaisen-don: Freshly caught sashimi is spread on rice. One bite is full of the taste of the sea, especially the sweet shrimp and tuna, which are fresh, sweet, and chewy. Charcoal-grilled Wagyu Beef: Grilled with local Owase beef, the fat sizzles on the charcoal fire, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Paired with a special sauce, it's amazing! Wagashi: Delicate and small, with various flavors, such as red bean paste and matcha paste, perfect for afternoon tea. 💡Practical Tips: Remember to bring rain gear, as it often rains in Oiwase City, and the small city in the rain and fog has a unique charm. Tickets for some attractions can be purchased online in advance to save queuing time. Try to speak some simple Japanese, such as "Thank you (ありがとう)" and "Hello (こんにちは)", which will make your trip smoother.

Mie Prefecture's hidden gem, "Choshi River" ️🩵°･🐠 This river is so beautiful and clear that you will never forget it once you visit!! ️🩵[Choshi River transparency]: The greatest attraction of this river is its transparency. The water is so clear that you can clearly see the riverbed. The surrounding nature is reflected on the beautiful water surface, which is like glass, creating a fantastic landscape👒➰ 🌿[Refreshing in nature]: Lush green forests spread along the river, and in summer, the sunlight that shines through the trees reflects off the river surface, creating a refreshing environment!! Playing in the river is also pleasant in the summer☀️ 📸[Recommended points]: - You can enjoy taking photos that take advantage of the transparency of the river. The angle where you can see the river bottom and the natural scenery reflected on the water surface are especially beautiful. - Playing in the river❣️ Enjoy the cool sensation of dipping your feet in the water, and it's also fun to observe the small fish°･🐠 📍【Access】: Kihoku-cho, Mie Prefecture About 2.5 hours by car from Nagoya, About 3 hours from Osaka🚗 If you use public transportation, Kiinagashima Station on the JR Kisei Main Line is the nearest station, and it's about 30 minutes by bus from the station🚌💨 🔍【Caution】: - When playing in the river, be sure to act safely. Be careful of sudden floods and slippery areas. The Choshi River in Mie Prefecture is truly a natural treasure box. Be sure to visit and be soothed by the spectacular scenery woven by the clear water and rich nature! #Mie #Choshi River #Transparency #Breathtaking view #Nature #Instagrammable #Playing in the river #Mie trip #Refreshment #Zero yen trip #Mie sightseeing #Domestic travel

This time, we visited "Binishiyama (Elephant's Back)" in Mie Prefecture 🐘🌟 As the name suggests, it's a spectacular spot that makes you feel like you're riding on the back of an elephant! Binishiyama is particularly popular for its part called Elephant's Back ️🩵, a spectacular view that can only be seen by those who endure the trekking of about 2 hours each way 😆 I don't usually get enough exercise, so it was tough 🥹🥹, but it was a spectacular view that made me think that it was worth the effort ❣️ 🔍 [Time required]: The hike from the trailhead to Elephant's Back takes about 1.5 hours one way, and about 3 hours round trip. The hiking trail is relatively well maintained, so even beginners can enjoy it with peace of mind. 👣👣 📍【Access】: 519-3406 Aiga, Kihoku-cho, Kitamuro-gun, Mie About 2 hours and 15 minutes by car from Nagoya 🏞️【Amazing view from Elephant's Back】: When you arrive at Elephant's Back, you will see the beautiful mountains of Mie and the beautiful sky in front of you. The sense of openness you feel while standing on the back of an elephant and the beauty of nature in every season are attractive🌸 💡【Hiking Tips】: - What to bring: Drinks for hydration, snacks, hat, sunglasses - Clothing: Comfortable clothes and hiking shoes (sneakers are OK) - Points to note: The hiking trail is well maintained, but be careful of your feet. Be careful as it can be slippery especially on rainy days. 📸【Recommended points】: If you want to take pictures of the view from Elephant's Back, the blue sky at the time of reaching the summit is the best! ⛰️【Other attractions】: The area around Binishiyama is also home to historic old roads and lush forests. After trekking, we recommend relaxing at a nearby hot spring facility. Binishiyama (Elephant's Back) is a wonderful spot where you can enjoy spectacular views while refreshing in nature. Be sure to visit to discover new attractions in Mie! #Mie #Elephant's Back #Hiking #Spectacular Views #Nature #Mie Travel #Domestic Travel #Trekking #Mountain Climbing #Mie Tourism #0 Yen Travel

The water is so clear that you've never seen it before. This is due to the abundant precipitation and the vast amount of underground water. The source of the river is the eastern side of Odaigahara, one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan, and I have attached a photo of the Choshi River from its highest point, Mt. Hijigatake. Now, the question is where to view this beautiful river surface. Even if you come to this location on Google Maps, there is no parking space and you can hardly see anything. Also, even if you head upstream of the Choshi River from here, the road only gets more and more deserted, and although there may be some hidden places, they are not common. After going around here and there today, my recommendation is the Uotobikei Gorge on the tributary, Mataguchi River. From the sea side, go upstream along the Choshi River on Prefectural Route 760. If you set Google Maps to "Choshi River", you will be instructed to turn right onto a narrow road along the way. It is true that this road is the road that goes upstream of the Choshi River, but as mentioned above, it becomes increasingly deserted. Therefore, you will naturally continue along Prefectural Route 760 without turning right. If you go further along the road after leaving the village, you will see Uotobikei Gorge on the left, and a beautiful view will continue beside the road. There is a reasonable amount of parking space, and there is a map display at the suspension bridge and nearby. I don't think you can go down to the river. You can enjoy the beauty from the road and the suspension bridge. Please be careful of falling rocks and bears. If you are going for a walk, please bring a bear bell, talk to the bear, clap in places with poor visibility, honk your car horn before starting, etc., to let the bear know of your presence before you run into it, and give it time to escape. It is the bear that is scared. There is a toilet sign past the village, but I have not confirmed it. There is a roadside station downstream of the Choshi River, so it may be convenient to use that. Have a good trip in Kumano! There are many campsites nearby. #Mie Tourism #River Play #Summer #Hidden Spot